UAE Visa Ban 2025 9 Countries Affected in New Policy Update Full List & Details

The UAE Visa Ban 2025 has taken a significant step in its immigration policy by issuing a directive to temporarily halt the issuance of new tourist and work visas for citizens of nine countries. According to multiple media reports, the list of nations includes Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Sudan, and Uganda.

Although the UAE Visa Ban 2025 government has not issued an official public announcement regarding this ban, internal immigration circulars obtained by press outlets suggest the policy is part of a broader visa-strategy extending into 2026. The Economic Times+1 The move has created widespread concern among prospective travellers, job seekers, and students from the affected nations, and brings fresh attention to the changing landscape of Gulf immigration.

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It is important to note that UAE Visa Ban 2025 existing visa-holders from the nine countries are reportedly not impacted by this suspension—they can continue to reside, work, or travel under their current valid permit. mint+1 Nonetheless, any new applications for tourist visas, work permits, or similar entries from those nationalities appear to be on hold until further notice.

The reasons behind this policy change appear to be multifaceted—touching on national security, migration management, diplomatic relationships, and residual pandemic-era controls. The Financial Express+1 In this article we break down the full picture: listing the countries, exploring eligibility, explaining how the process has changed, the implications (benefits & disadvantages), and guidance for affected applicants.

Important caveats:

• Some diplomatic sources (such as the Bangladeshi Ambassador) have questioned whether Bangladesh is definitively on the banned list, pointing out the lack of an official UAE confirmation.
• The policy is described as a temporary suspension of new visa applications, not a full travel ban or expulsion.
• Since the policy is based on internal circulars, changes or updates may occur—so always check official sources before making travel or work plans.

Eligibility Criteria What Has Changed:

Given this suspension, here’s how visa eligibility has shifted for nationals of the affected countries:

1. New tourist visa applications from the listed countries are currently not being processed through standard channels for the time being.
2. Work permit / employment visa applications from those countries are similarly on hold.
3. Applicants who already hold valid visas or residency in the UAE remain unaffected and may continue to stay, work or travel under those granted permissions.
4. Citizens of the affected nations who wish to apply may need to wait until the policy is officially revised or lifted—there is no public timeline yet.
5. For those from unaffected countries, standard eligibility criteria remain in force: passport validity, sponsorship (for many visa types), health/immigration clearance, etc.
6. Applicants from unaffected countries should still monitor for any spill-over effects or additional security checks triggered by the broader policy changes.

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Application Process (for unaffected nationals / standard visas)

While the nine-country suspension is in place, here is the general process for applying for a UAE tourist or work visa (for nationals not impacted by the ban or for existing visa renewals):

1. Submit a visa application via an authorised UAE embassy/consulate or through your UAE-based sponsor/employer.
2. Provide required documentation: valid passport (6+ months validity), passport-size photograph, bank statements (for tourist visa), employment contract/offer letter (for work visa).
3. Undergo medical/immigration screening if required (depending on visa type and issuing emirate).
4. Pay visa and processing fees as per the visa category.
5. Await visa approval and issuance; once approved, receive a visa stamp or electronic visa (e-visa) via email or in-person collection.
6. For those already in UAE, apply for renewal or status change through the relevant emirate’s immigration portal (e.g., General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA)).
7. Keep copies of your visa, passport, sponsor/employer records, and remain compliant with immigration/residency rules to avoid future bans or restrictions.

Benefits & Implications of the Policy Update:

Although the suspension of visa issuance doesn’t present positive “benefits” in the conventional sense for applicants from the nine countries, understanding the implications helps all travellers and workers. Some of the key points:

1. Enhanced immigration control: For the UAE, the policy may help strengthen screening, reduce irregular migration, and manage national security risks.
2. Clear signal to labour markets: For employers and job-seekers, the ban signals additional caution—so agencies, recruiters and candidates should factor in longer lead times or uncertainty.
3. Increased clarity for travellers: Prospective visitors from the listed countries now have clearer expectations about visa availability (or lack thereof) and can plan accordingly.
4. Protect existing visa-holders: The policy preserves the rights of those who already hold a UAE visa, avoiding mass disruption.
5. Diplomatic and bilateral dialogue: The policy may spur negotiations or bilateral talks between the UAE and affected countries focusing on migration management.
6. Potential for policy revision: Because the ban is described as temporary, countries and applicants may engage with UAE authorities or their home governments to seek clarification or resolution.
7. General reminder for security-conscious travel: Even nationals from unaffected countries should remain aware of global shifts in visa policies and emerging restrictions tied to security, health or migration issues.

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UAE Visa Ban 2025 Conclusion:

The UAE Visa Ban 2025 decision to suspend new tourist and work visa applications for citizens of nine countries represents a significant shift in its immigration and labour policies. While the list currently includes Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Sudan and Uganda, the measure is reported as part of a broader visa strategy extending into 2026.

For nationals of those countries, the immediate impact is clear: no fresh tourist or employment visas can be applied for at present—though those with existing visas remain unaffected. For the UAE, the policy likely reflects concerns around security, migration flows and diplomatic posture amid evolving global travel norms.

From a broader perspective, this development underscores the need for prospective travellers, expatriate workers and international employers to monitor visa-policy changes closely. Migration rules are becoming increasingly dynamic and subject to strategic recalibration by host countries.

In the context of the Gulf region’s evolving labour market, this ban may serve as a warning sign of tighter controls to come. Applicants from even unaffected countries should remain diligent, ensuring their applications are well-documented, compliant, and timed with awareness of possible policy shifts.

For humanitarian, labour rights and diplomatic circles, this move raises questions about transparency, fairness and support mechanisms for affected nationals. Some governments (for example, Bangladesh) have publicly questioned the authenticity of the ban. Dhaka Tribune

Ultimately, while the ban creates immediate obstacles for some applicants, it also opens up conversations about alignment between immigration policy and global mobility trends. As policy evolves, staying informed and preparing accordingly will be crucial.

As more official updates are released by UAE immigration authorities or partner governments, prospective applicants should check embassy notices, visa-service alerts and consult reliable channels before making travel or employment decisions.

9 Countries UAE Visa Ban FAQs: